City Council Meeting

Public Hearing and Holdingford City Council Meeting Minutes February 10, 2014 The Public Hearing for ordinance violation of nuisance property was brought to order at 7:00 p.m. by Mayor Ernie Schmit. Present: Lewis Becker, Mike Odden, Lloyd Rausch, Susan Marstein, Ernie Schmit, Sandra Meer, Wyatt Cekalla, Keith Hommerding, Scott Lange, Jeremy Freudenrich, Dorine Rausch, Rick Solinger, and Ed Vail. Mayor Schmit gave background information regarding the Ed Vail property on 3 rd Street. Mr. Vail moved from Main Street to his current residence in May 2013; a neighborhood petition requesting property clean-up was presented at June Council meeting; Council requested cleanup of property in June and July, Mr. Vail obtained building permit and had shed erected in Fall of 2013; City attorney sent letter requesting abatement of property nuisance in November. The purpose of the public hearing is for Mr. Vail to show cause, if any, that the nuisance has been abated and why the City should not apply to the Minnesota District Court for injunctive relief. Mayor Schmit read the letter from the attorney that was delivered to Edwin Vail. Mr. Vail noted that he had gotten rid of one trailer and lumber and all vehicles were licensed and in driving condition. Since he is disabled he cannot clean up the property. The cold weather and snow also makes it difficult. Volunteers have helped clean up in the past. Mr. Vail did not disagree that his property is out of Ordinance requirements. Mr. Vail was agreeable to signing a statement, barring legal counsel, stating that if his property is not cleaned up by summer (date to be determined) then the City Council would apply to the Minnesota District Court for judicial relief. Sue Marstein made a motion to table the resolution until the March meeting in order to consult the City attorney regarding extending time frame for nuisance abatement due to weather restrictions. Motion was seconded by Lloyd Rausch. Motion passed. Voting in favor: Becker, Marstein, Rausch, Opposed: Odden Mayor Ernie Schmit called the regular monthly meeting of the Holdingford City Council to order at 7:25 p.m. The pledge of allegiance was recited. Present: Lewis Becker, Mike Odden, Lloyd Rausch, Susan Marstein, Ernie Schmit, Sandra Meer, Rick Calgaro, Wyatt Cekalla, Steve Feneis, Keith Hommerding, Scott Lange, Jeremy Freudenrich, Dorine Rausch and Luke Sjurseth. Motion to approve checks was made by Lewis Becker, seconded by Sue Marstein. AIF Motion to approve electronic transfers and withdrawals was made by Sue Marstein, seconded by Lloyd Rausch. AIF Motion to approve bank reconciliation for January 2014 statements was made by Lloyd Rausch, seconded by Sue Marstein. AIF Motion was made by Mike Odden to approve minutes of the January 2014 council meeting. Motion seconded by Lloyd Rausch. AIF Reports Liquor Store report was given by Mayor Schmit. Gross revenue for January was $28,400.00. Expenses were $25,357.83. Net income was $3,042.17. Inventory on January 1st was $44,985.19. Lottery income for January was $347.75. Sue Marstein met with manager Pat Meier and discussed different options for completing inventory, possibly with a Point of Sale (POS) system or other program. Several events are scheduled including a bean bag toss, meat raffle, Daytona 500 Race and live music. Fire Department report was given by Keith Hommerding. Fire Relief Association continues to receive donations from the calendar fundraiser as well as notes of appreciation. The Firefighters Relief Association Annual Breakfast Fundraiser is scheduled for Sunday, March 9th from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Free will donations will be accepted at the door. Sue Marstein made a motion to approve an additional pension contribution of $210 to total $5,210 for the Fire Relief Association. Mike Odden seconded the motion. Motion passed. Voting in favor: Becker, Marstein and Odden, Lloyd Rausch abstained. Fire calls to date include eight (8) in the City of Holdingford, three (3) in Holding Township and three (3) in Krain Township. Correction from last month, Dave Barron requested 6 month leave, not a year. This year, both Bruce Gerads and Tony Stalberger are designated as Truck and Equipment Officers. No word yet on a FEMA grant award. Hoses were ordered which will be partially covered by a DNR matching grant. First Responder training was completed in January. Personnel met with an ISO (Insurance Services Office) representative to gather information to determine a rating which could potentially lower insurance rates. The rating will be completed after an additional spring meeting. Dorine Rausch reported that the region is looking for more Certified Emergency Managers to be trained to help manage disasters. The two year training program requires 271 hours. Classes are offered free of charge from the County on a 2 year rotation. Dorine Rausch already has some of the required certifications. Classes are mainly online, as well as three classes on site at Camp Ripley. She requested that the City reimburse her time and mileage for the certification. Sue Marstein made a motion to reimburse Dorine Rausch for her time and mileage to pursue the Certified Emergency Manager certification. Lewis Becker seconded the motion. Voting in favor: Becker, Marstein and Odden, Lloyd Rausch abstained. Maintenance Report was read by Mayor Schmit. A flow meter was installed at the Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP). A new idler pulley was put in the Dodge pickup and four new tires were put on the Ranger pickup. A new water meter was installed at 511 Main Street and two new meters were ordered for inventory. A new spool for injecting chlorine was installed in Well #2. Christmas decorations were taken down. Maintenance is waiting on a quote to fix the well pump and replace the rusted tank at the WWTP. The water softener at City Hall needs to be replaced and one quote was obtained. Council requested an additional quote. There was discussion on how and when plowing is done in the City. Mayor Ernie Schmit gave his Mayor’s Report. See end of minutes for details. No Council Reports Clerks Report: A quote was received for $1,000 to combine new and old data sets for Asyst program. The clerk has been able to make sufficient changes in the existing program to reflect consistency in the chart of account numbers and recommended using the current data set. She would like to continue to look at the possibility of using a different accounting program. The new phone system was installed in the City Center and Fire Department during the last week in January and it’s working well. The annual MCFOA conference will be March 19-21 in St. Cloud. Mike Odden made a motion to approve expenses for Sandra Meer to attend the March MCFOA training conference in St. Cloud. Lloyd Rausch seconded the motion. AIF The clerk suggested that meeting packets be sent out electronically instead of copied, collated and delivered to Council members houses. A ream of paper as well as a print cartridge would be provided to the Council members. Printing is not feasible for all Council members. Other options were discussed and will be brought to next meeting. Sandra Meer will be on vacation February 18-21st so Kathy O’Hara will pick up phone messages and collect mail. Guests Steve Feneis from Granite City Real Estate representing the owners of City View Apartments, LLC inquired about the possibility of transferring the Tax Increment Financing (TIF) District #1 to new ownership if the property were to be sold. The property has a 30 year extended use agreement with the State of Minnesota to provide housing for low and moderate income families. Mr. Feneis noted that if the property were to be sold without the benefit of the TIF District designation, the new owner would have to raise the rental rates $54 per unit per month which may cause a hardship on the 12 families living there. The City entered into a 25 year agreement for TIF District #1 in 1998. The Council will seek advisement from the City’s TIF consultant to determine if the new assignment would be feasible and beneficial. Rick Calgaro from the Holdingford Lions Club showed a poster of the proposed play structure at Veteran’s Park. A down payment is required to order the playground equipment. The Holdingford SnoFlyers have donated $1,000 towards the equipment and the Lions continue to fundraise. Mike Odden made a motion to pay $12,000 of designated City funds in addition to the $1,000 donation to Flagship Recreation, LLC for the down payment for new playground equipment. Sue Marstein seconded the motion. AIF Mike Odden made a motion for Mayor Schmit to sign the agreement to approve colors and pieces as presented. Sue Marstein seconded the motion. AIF The Lions will be excavating the park area in May, weather permitting. The Economic Development Committee is reviewing plans to construct a town square in the empty lot on Main Street and Cedar Street. The Commercial Club would like to see the property used for business which would generate more revenue. Wyatt Cekalla from Aspire Realty offered to put the lot up for sale for $1.00 provided the purchaser has a Council approved business plan. The realtor would review all the business plans and bring them to the Council. The buyer would pay all realtor fees and the City would be responsible for certain closing costs that cannot be transferred to the buyer. Lewis Becker made a motion to list property with Wyatt Cekalla from Aspire Realty for three months. Mike Odden seconded the motion. AIF Scott Lange from SEH noted that the goal to get the 2011 Street and Utility Project closed out is June 1, 2014. There was discussion on pumping the treatment plant to replace the rusted bolts or to wait until the valves give out. Council agreed to wait to replace the bolts since the cost to pump would be prohibitive and the outcome would be the same. Old Business The Resolution for dividing the Neupert property will be tabled until next meeting since the attorney’s response didn’t fully encompass the issue of lot size. Holdingford Schools receives an annual billing of $500 for kitchen waste disposal. The Business Manager is wondering if the fee is negotiable or can be lowered since the school has changed its procedures and no longer disposes of food scraps down the sewer. Maintenance has not seen a reduced amount of food scraps coming through the sewer system. Council requested that Maintenance continues to monitor the amount of food scraps coming through and the school will be notified. New Business Lloyd Rausch made a motion to approve a gambling permit for the Holdingford FFA Alumni Raffle. Sue Marstein seconded the motion. AIF Commercial Club requested a gambling permit to hold their annual raffle. Mike Odden made a motion to approve a gambling permit for the Commercial Club Annual Raffle. Sue Marstein seconded the motion. AIF Mike Odden made a motion to void check #29796 for $100 to Minnesota 13 for payment on an ad for the Snow Cross event and apply the $100 to the balance that Minnesota 13 owes for the Holdingford Daze band. Lewis Becker seconded the motion. AIF Announcements The Mayor is meeting with representatives of Greater Minnesota Gas Company on Tuesday, February 11 to discuss possibility of bringing natural gas to Holdingford area. Past due utility notices were sent out to Jayson Burgardt, Steve Horvath, Derek Woidyla, Minnesota 13, Jean Lashinski, and Cody Hamm. Motion to adjourn was made by Lewis Becker, seconded by Sue Marstein. Meeting adjourned at 9:35 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Sandra Meer City Clerk, Holdingford JANUARY 2014 Department Gross Pay General $ 5,080.16 Public Works $ 6,488.71 Fire $ .00 Liquor $ 6,585.25 Total $ 18,154.12 2 pay periods ending 1/12, 1/26 City of Holdingford - Equal Opportunity Provider Accounts Payable Check Register Report - STEARNS BANK For The Fiscal Periods Range From 2014-1 To 2014-1 For All Vendors And For Outstanding, Cleared, Voided Checks - Computer Generated Check # Type Date Vendor Name Amount Status 29704 C 1/10/2014 74 Amerigas $2,532.23 C 29705 C 1/10/2014 24 Central-McGowan, Inc $80.61 C 29706 C 1/10/2014 56 Emergency Apparatus Maint $3,618.11 C 29707 C 1/10/2014 62 Ernst's Locksmith $55.58 C 29708 C 1/10/2014 325 Gene Cipala $909.07 C 29709 C 1/10/2014 80 Gopher State One-Call, Inc $1.45 C 29710 C 1/10/2014 89 Handyman's Inc $4.25 C 29711 C 1/10/2014 91 Hawkins, Inc $200.00 C 29712 C 1/10/2014 92 Headley Hardware $430.47 C 29714 C 1/10/2014 614 Holdingford Gas and Grocery $696.08 C 29715 C 1/10/2014 106 Holdingford Mill $59.00 C 29716 C 1/10/2014 109 Hommerding Plumbing & Heating $454.76 C 29717 C 1/10/2014 117 Jerome Schueler $500.00 C 29718 C 1/10/2014 686 Lake Region Firefighters Assoc $40.00 C 29719 C 1/10/2014 730 Midcontinent Business Solutions $233.54 C 29720 C 1/10/2014 161 Mike Odden $75.00 C 29721 C 1/10/2014 170 MN Dept of Health $459.00 C 29722 C 1/10/2014 179 MN State Fire Dept. Assn $135.00 C 29723 C 1/10/2014 191 Northland Trust Services, Inc $51,890.00 C 29724 C 1/10/2014 207 Postmaster $746.00 C 29725 C 1/10/2014 225 Schlenner, Wenner & Co $380.00 C Check # Type Date Vendor Name Amount Status 29726 C 1/10/2014 237 St Rosa Lumber, Inc $70.94 C 29727 C 1/10/2014 573 St. Cloud Refrigeration $238.38 C 29728 C 1/10/2014 685 Star Publications, LLC $120.00 C 29729 C 1/10/2014 248 Stearns Cty Sheriff's Department $6,840.00 C 29730 C 1/10/2014 554 Tim Winter $108.48 C 29731 C 1/10/2014 637 Tony Stalberger $116.39 C 29732 C 1/10/2014 271 UC Lab $462.00 C 29733 C 1/10/2014 339 Verizon Wireless $53.24 C 29734 C 1/10/2014 281 Viking Coca Cola Bottling $96.00 C 29735 C 1/10/2014 359 XCEL ENERGY 51-5655038-6 $326.18 C 29736 C 1/10/2014 361 XCEL ENERGY 51-5655039-7 $110.84 C 29737 C 1/10/2014 358 XCEL ENERGY 51-5655040-0 $1,462.42 C 29738 C 1/10/2014 292 Ziegler $403.96 C 29713 C 1/10/2014 101 Holdingford Commercial Club $40.00 O 29739 C 1/29/2014 704 AFSCME Council 65 $324.24 O 29740 C 1/29/2014 74 Amerigas $838.48 O 29741 C 1/29/2014 6 AmeriPride Linen $74.94 O 29742 C 1/29/2014 432 Appliance Repair Center $273.60 O 29743 C 1/29/2014 9 Bernick's Pepsi-Cola $747.00 O 29744 C 1/29/2014 507 Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota $2,962.00 O 29745 C 1/29/2014 18 C & L Distributing, Inc $5,674.95 O 29746 C 1/29/2014 792 CW Technology $220.00 O 29747 C 1/29/2014 48 D & D Beer Co. $240.00 O 29748 C 1/29/2014 477 Dan Gerads $52.60 O 29749 C 1/29/2014 655 David Yurczyk $22.60 O 29750 C 1/29/2014 370 Dorine Rausch $103.15 O 29751 C 1/29/2014 405 DVS Renewal $32.00 O 29752 C 1/29/2014 52 E. A. Sween Company $112.26 O 29753 C 1/29/2014 70 Frito-Lay, Inc $130.40 O 29754 C 1/29/2014 787 Granite City Jobbing Co $482.01 O 29755 C 1/29/2014 90 Harry's Frozen Foods $283.50 O 29756 C 1/29/2014 481 Heggies Pizza $92.20 O 29757 C 1/29/2014 97 Henry's Waterworks, Inc $397.95 O 29758 C 1/29/2014 101 Holdingford Commercial Club $40.00 O 29759 C 1/29/2014 107 Holdingford Fire Relief Assn $185.00 O 29760 C 1/29/2014 324 Initiative Foundation $500.00 O 29761 C 1/29/2014 691 Integra Telecom $276.83 O 29762 C 1/29/2014 117 Jerome Schueler $100.00 O 29763 C 1/29/2014 119 Johnson Brothers Liquor C $3,229.25 O 29764 C 1/29/2014 207 Postmaster $106.00 O 29765 C 1/29/2014 208 Principal Financial Group $609.23 O 29766 C 1/29/2014 452 Region III MCFOA $15.00 O 29767 C 1/29/2014 242 Stearns Cty Auditor-Treas $452.08 O 29768 C 1/29/2014 248 Stearns Cty Sheriff's Department $50.00 O 29769 C 1/29/2014 254 Strategic Equipment $178.38 O 29770 C 1/29/2014 412 Sunset Electric, Inc $90.84 O 29771 C 1/29/2014 258 The Nut Man $51.50 O 29772 C 1/29/2014 791 Thomas Van Hove $2,250.00 O 29773 C 1/29/2014 263 Tom's Refuse $4,926.08 O 29774 C 1/29/2014 804 Toshiba Financial Service $99.12 O 29775 C 1/29/2014 339 Verizon Wireless $92.06 O 29776 C 1/29/2014 281 Viking Coca Cola Bottling $694.30 O 29777 C 1/29/2014 627 WirtzBM Wine and Spirits, Inc $645.25 O Cleared $73,908.98 Outstanding $27,694.80 Void $0.00